33 CFR 151.2015: Vessel exemptions from this subpart
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section lists vessels that are exempt from the requirements of this subpart. Some vessels are exempt from all requirements. Others are exempt from §§ 151.2025, 151.2060 and 151.2070, or only from § 151.2025.
Applies toVessels described in the section, including certain government vessels, crude oil tankers in coastwise trade, and vessels operating within a single COTP Zone.
What it says
Certain Department of Defense, Coast Guard and Armed Forces vessels, and certain foreign state government vessels, are exempt from all requirements of this subpart.
33 CFR 151.2015(a)“The following vessels are exempt from all of the requirements of this subpart:”
A warship, naval auxiliary, or other foreign state-owned or state-operated vessel used only on government non-commercial service is exempt, but it should act consistently with this subpart so far as is reasonable and practicable.
33 CFR 151.2015(a)(2)“However, such vessels should act in a manner consistent, so far as is reasonable and practicable, with this subpart.”
Crude oil tankers engaged in coastwise trade are exempt from §§ 151.2025 (ballast water management (BWM) requirements), 151.2060 (reporting) and 151.2070 (recordkeeping) of this subpart.
33 CFR 151.2015(b)“Crude oil tankers engaged in coastwise trade are exempt from the requirements of §§ 151.2025 (ballast water management (BWM) requirements), 151.2060 (reporting), and 151.2070 (recordkeeping) of this subpart.”
Vessels that operate exclusively on voyages between ports or places within a single COTP Zone are exempt from §§ 151.2025, 151.2060 and 151.2070 of this subpart.
33 CFR 151.2015(c)“Vessels that operate exclusively on voyages between ports or places within a single COTP Zone are exempt from the requirements of §§ 151.2025”
Some vessels are exempt only from the requirements of § 151.2025 (BWM requirements) of this subpart.
33 CFR 151.2015(d)“The following vessels are exempt only from the requirements of § 151.2025 (BWM requirements) of this subpart:”
Vessels that operate in more than a single COTP Zone but take on and discharge ballast water exclusively in a single COTP Zone are exempt only from § 151.2025.
33 CFR 151.2015(d)(3)“Vessels that operate in more than a single COTP Zone and take on and discharge ballast water exclusively in a single COTP Zone.”
Common questions
Are crude oil tankers in coastwise trade exempt from ballast water reporting?
Yes. Crude oil tankers engaged in coastwise trade are exempt from §§ 151.2025, 151.2060 (reporting) and 151.2070 (recordkeeping) of this subpart.
“Crude oil tankers engaged in coastwise trade are exempt from the requirements of §§ 151.2025 (ballast water management (BWM) requirements), 151.2060 (reporting), and 151.2070 (recordkeeping) of this subpart.”
Are vessels that stay within one COTP Zone exempt from ballast water rules?
Yes. Vessels that operate exclusively on voyages between ports or places within a single COTP Zone are exempt from §§ 151.2025, 151.2060 and 151.2070 of this subpart.
“Vessels that operate exclusively on voyages between ports or places within a single COTP Zone are exempt from the requirements of §§ 151.2025”
Which vessels are exempt only from § 151.2025?
The vessels listed in paragraph (d) are exempt only from the requirements of § 151.2025 (BWM requirements) of this subpart. Paragraph (d) includes non-seagoing vessels.
“The following vessels are exempt only from the requirements of § 151.2025 (BWM requirements) of this subpart:”
The text of 33 CFR 151.2015
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Exemptions
(a) The following vessels are exempt from all of the requirements of this subpart:
(1) Any Department of Defense or Coast Guard vessel subject to the requirements of section 1103 of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act, as amended by the National Invasive Species Act; or any vessel of the Armed Forces, as defined in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1322(a)), that is subject to the “Uniform National Discharge Standards for Vessels of the Armed Forces” (33 U.S.C. 1322(n)).
(2) Any warship, naval auxiliary, or other vessel owned or operated by a foreign state and used, for the time being, only on government non-commercial service. However, such vessels should act in a manner consistent, so far as is reasonable and practicable, with this subpart.
(b) Crude oil tankers engaged in coastwise trade are exempt from the requirements of §§ 151.2025 (ballast water management (BWM) requirements), 151.2060 (reporting), and 151.2070 (recordkeeping) of this subpart.
(c) Vessels that operate exclusively on voyages between ports or places within a single COTP Zone are exempt from the requirements of §§ 151.2025 (ballast water management (BWM) requirements), 151.2060 (reporting), and 151.2070 (recordkeeping) of this subpart.
(d) The following vessels are exempt only from the requirements of § 151.2025 (BWM requirements) of this subpart:
(1) Seagoing vessels that operate in more than a single COTP Zone, do not operate outside of the EEZ, and are less than or equal to 1,600 gross register tons or less than or equal to 3,000 gross tons (International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969).
(2) Non-seagoing vessels.
(3) Vessels that operate in more than a single COTP Zone and take on and discharge ballast water exclusively in a single COTP Zone.
Table 1 to § 151.2015—Table of 33 CFR 151.2015 Specific Exemptions for Types of Vessels 151.2025(Management) 151.2060(Reporting) 151.2070(Recordkeeping) Department of Defense or Coast Guard vessel subject to 46 U.S.C. 4713 Exempt Exempt Exempt. Vessel of the Armed Forces subject to the “Uniform National Discharge Standards for Vessels of the Armed Forces” (33 U.S.C. 1322(n)) Exempt Exempt Exempt. Crude oil tankers engaged in coastwise trade Exempt Exempt Exempt. Vessel operates exclusively on voyages between ports or places within a single COTP Zone Exempt Exempt Exempt. Seagoing vessel operates on voyages between ports or places in more than a single COTP Zone, does not operate outside of EEZ, and ≤1600 gross register tons or ≤3000 gross tons (ITC) Exempt Applicable Applicable. Non-seagoing vessel Exempt Applicable 1 Applicable1 Vessel operates between ports or places in more than a single COTP Zone and takes on and discharges ballast water exclusively in a single COTP Zone Exempt Applicable Applicable. 1 Unless operating exclusively on voyages between ports or places within a single COTP Zone.
Sections it refers to
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.